By
Richard M. Fagan on April 14th, 2012
TO DEVELOP PROFICIENT AND CONFIDENT PLAYERS WHO WILL TRY TO PLAY AN EXCITING BRAND OF SOCCER FOR WHICH STONY BROOK RUSH S.C. WILL BECOME RECOGNIZED FOR.
WHY DOES THE CLUB EXIST ?
TO PROVIDE PLAYING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MOST POPULAR TEAM GAME
IN THE WORLD AND GOOD SPORTING PRACTICES FOR HEALTH AND LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS.
STONY BROOK RUSH SOCCER CLUB – MISSION
- TO PROVIDE EACH CHILD A LOVE OF THE GAME TO LAST A LIFETIME
- TO GIVE EVERY CHILD FROM 4-19 YEARS OF AGE A PLACE TO PLAY THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR GAME IN A SAFE, WELCOMING AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT
- TO HELP DEVELOP INDIVIDUALLY EXCELLENT PLAYERS IN SKILL AND GAME UNDERSTANDING
- TO ENABLE/FACILITATE ALL PLAYERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL AT A TRAVEL OR RECREATIONAL LEVEL.
- TO ENABLE PLAYERS TO BE AMONGST THE MOST CONFIDENT IN THEIR PEER GROUP AS THEY MATURE
- TO ENABLE PLAYERS TO BE SKILLED ENOUGH TO PLAY ANY GAME STYLE WHEN THEY REACH MATURITY.
USING SOCCER TO ACHIEVE OUR CLUB GOALS
- DEVELOP THE PERSON, NOT “JUST” THE PLAYER !!!!
- PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES THROUGH GOOD COACHING, UP-TO DATE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION OF BEST PRACTICES
- HONOUR THE “SPIRIT OF THE GAME”
- SHOW RESPECT TO OUR TEAM-MATES, COACHES, MATCH OFFICIALS AND OUR OPPONENTS AT ALL TIMES
- BEHAVE IN A MANNER BEFITTING OUR SOCCER CLUB AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR.
- MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PLAYERS AT ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
- UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS
- NEEDS OF PARTICIPATION, PERFORMANCE AND EXCELLENCE
- MAKE TRAINING SESSIONS APPROPRIATE, CHALLENGING, EDUCATIONAL AND ENJOYABLE
- ESTABLISH A LEARNING CENTRED APPROACH TO PRACTICE & GAMES
- PLACE THE RIGHT PLAYER WITH THE RIGHT COACH AT THE RIGHT TIME
- CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS PLAYERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL (FEARFREE ENVIRONMENT)
- TRY TO DEVELOP “BRAVE” PLAYERS – PLAYERS WHO TRY TO BE CREATIVE & WITHOUT FEAR OF FAILURE
- GIVE EVERY PLAYER IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SOCCER AT SOME LEVEL.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
? DEVELOP THE PERSON, NOT “JUST” THE PLAYER !!!!
? PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES
? HONOUR THE “SPIRIT OF THE GAME”
? MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PLAYERS AT ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
? UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS; DIFFERENTIATE AND PROVIDE FOR THE
NEEDS OF PARTICIPATION, PERFORMANCE AND EXCELLENCE
? MAKE COACHING SESSIONS APPROPRIATE, CHALLENGING, EDUCATIONAL AND ENJOYABLE
? ESTABLISH A LEARNING CENTRED APPROACH TO PRACTICE
? PLACE THE RIGHT PLAYER WITH THE RIGHT COACH AT THE RIGHT TIME
? CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS PLAYERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL (FEARFREE ENVIRONMENT)
? TRY TO DEVELOP “BRAVE” PLAYERS – PLAYERS WHO TRY TO BE CREATIVE & WITHOUT FEAR
OF FAILURE
? USE THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION 4 CORNER MODEL (LTPD) TO
MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER
? BE CONCERNED WITH TEAM “SHAPE” RATHER THAN “POSITIONS”
? ENCOURAGE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR ALL OUTFIELD PLAYERS WITHIN THE GAME
AND AS DETERMINED BY THE GAME SITUATION
? TEACH INTERCHANGE OF POSITIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROVIDING TEAM “SHAPE” AND
BALANCE – PLAYERS “COVER” FOR EACH OTHER
? LET PLAYERS HAVE LOTS OF GOES – DON’T STOP PRACTICE EVERYTIME SOMEONE MAKES A
MISTAKE
? DEVELOP EXPERTISE IN THE COACHING OF THE AGE GROUP FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
COACHING PRACTICE
? MAKE PRACTICES GAME-LIKE (NO “LINE-DRILLS”)
? DESIGN PRACTICES THAT SET FOOTBALL “PROBLEMS” FOR PLAYERS TO SOLVE
? SET PRACTICES THAT FORCE REPETITION (LOTS OF “GOES” AT SOMETHING) WITHOUT BEING
REPETITIVE
? DESIGN SMALL SIDED PRACTICES – MORE TOUCHES, DECISIONS, TACKLES, SHOTS, PASSES
? CREATE TWO (OR MORE) GROUPS TO ENABLE SMALL SIDED PRACTICE WHERE YOU HAVE A
LARGE GROUP
? USE THE INSIDE SOCCER TRAINING TO DESIGN PRACTICES TO BUILD SUCCESS – OVERLOADS
? DO NOT DO CONDITIONING OR FITNESS DRILLS AT PRACTICE (SEE BELOW*)
“SOCCER PRACTICE IS CONDITIONING” – DUTCH FA
*NB – If you only have players for three hours a week, time is better spent teaching them the game.
Prior to completion of puberty, returns from fitness training are minimal in most cases. Young
players’ energy systems are simply not sufficiently well developed to see any major benefits from this type of physical training.
If players have agility or weight issues, we perhaps need to influence their lifestyle through positive messages/information and working in conjunction with parents. Once a week ‘fitness’ drills won’t make an impact.
GAME STYLE
? POSSESSION BASED GAME STYLE USING DELIBERATE BUILD UP PLAY
? POSSESSION BASED GAME STYLE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL BALL MASTERY
? POSSESSION BASED GAME STYLE BASED ON GAME UNDERSTANDING / SKILL
? POSSESSION BASED GAME STYLE USING VARIED TEMPO
? POSSESSION PLAY BASED ON OUTNUMBERING THE OPPONENT IN AREAS OF THE PITCH
? POSSESSION BASED GAME STYLE THROUGH INTERCHANGE OF POSITIONS
? FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OF ALL OUTFIELD PLAYERS
? RETENTION OF TEAM SHAPE THROUGH INTERCHANGE OF POSITIONS – PROVIDE “COVER”
? DELIBERATE BUILD UP PLAY THROUGH INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENT LATERALLY, BACKWARDS
AND DIAGONALLY AS WELL AS FORWARD, BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT THE BALL
? COUNTER ATTACK WITH SPEED, CONTROL AND DIRECTNESS
? RECOGNISE WHEN COUNTER ATTACKS HAVE BEEN DENIED OR THWARTED AND REVERT TO
A CONSIDERED BUILD UP PLAY GAME STYLE
? AIMLESS KICKING, KICK & CHASE AND OVER-RELIANCE ON PHYSICAL PLAY ARE ACTIVELY DISCOURAGED
SELECTION POLICY
? OPEN INVITATION POLICY (FOOTBALL FOR ALL)
? EQUAL AVERAGE PLAYING TIME AT MINI-SOCCER
? CREATE 2 TEAMS OR MORE FOR 9-A-SIDE (U11 & U12) AGE GROUPS
? TRY TO RETAIN 2 TEAMS OR MORE AT 11-A-SIDE (U13 AND OLDER)
NB – MORE PEOPLE PLAYING FOR LONGER ALLOWS FOR LATE DEVELOPERS WHICH MAY HELP
RETAIN PLAYERS/TEAMS AT OLDER AGE GROUPS
? CREATE LINKS WITH SENIOR CLUBS FOR PROGRESSION OF ADVANCED PLAYERS
? ENSURE LINKS CREATED, DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED FOR RE-PATRIATION OF PLAYERS
RELEASED FROM SENIOR CLUBS
BY THE WAY…
“IF YOU, AS THE COACH, ARE CONSIDERING RELEASING A PLAYER [or always leaving them on the bench],
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM, WHEN DID YOU FIRST NOTICE IT AND WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT IT?”
- Paul Holder – FA Staff Coach
STONY BROOK RUSH S.C. COACHING HANDBOOK
Characteristics of Players 5 – 8
Excitable Expect lots of energy
Enthusiastic Try to build enthusiasm not destroy it
Selfish Don’t expect lots of passes
Short concentration span Organize lots of short games
Limited understanding of space Expect them all to chase the ball
Sensitive Children are very sensitive to failure
Decision- making Split them into 3v3 or 4v4 games as more
options make decision making harder
Talkative Encourage them to ask questions
Characteristics of Players 8 – 11
Golden Age of Learning Encourage learning and invite questions
More awareness of others Increased decision-making options mean you can
move to 6v6 and 7v7 games
Enthusiastic don’t stifle this enthusiasm but encourage and
develop it
More attentive you can explain and explore things in more depth
Enjoy a challenge Try to stretch their minds and set new games
Begin to lose flexibility be aware that the warm-up is vital
Characteristics of Players 11 – 14
Team play Help to develop their understanding of team play
Problem solving don’t provide all the answers- encourage
Peer pressure be aware of this growing influence and how can you
use this to assist you.
Identifies others’ strengths and weaknesses this can be both positive and negative- encourage
your players to assess displays in a positive way
Competitive Facilitate the development of a more physical
aspect
Physical change be aware and sensitive of the impact puberty may
have on the individual
Characteristics of Players 14 – 16
Growing Stronger Players are approaching adulthood
Greater mental strength Players have a greater ability to cope with tough
situations
Physical challenge as the body becomes stronger so does the ability to
meet the physical challenge
More tactically aware Players are more aware of their own role and those around them
More analytical – Players are able to review there own and other’s performance (including yours) which should be encouraged
More competitive - The challenge to compete and be successful becomes greater.
Change – There are lots of changes on moving from school to college or work. Relationships with parents are changing and new relationships are being developed
DEVELOP EXPERTISE IN THE COACHING OF THE AGE GROUP FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE PLAYING / COACHING ENVIRONMENT
? ENSURE CHILDREN ENJOY A FEAR-FREE ENVIRONMENT. FREE FROM PHYSICAL BUT ALSO
PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM.
? CHILDREN MUST BE GIVEN FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT AND TO MAKE THEIR OWN
DECISIONS WITHOUT FEAR OF OVERT CRITICISM.
? ENCOURAGE RISK TAKING – TRY TO DEVELOP “BRAVE” PLAYERS (SEE COACHING
PHILOSOPHY ABOVE)
? RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION ARE GREATER MOTIVATORS THAN CRITICISM AND
HUMILIATION.
? DON’T USE SARCASM – BANTER TO ADULTS CAN BE HUMILIATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE
? MAXIM – “CATCH THEM DOING SOMETHING WELL” OR “MANAGE MISTAKES – PRAISE THE
SUCCESS”
? PLAYERS WILL USUALLY KNOW THEY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE BEFORE ANYONE ELSE CAN
COMMUNICATE TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE.
? BE PATIENT – FOOTBALL IS A LATE DEVELOPING SPORT (PLAYERS PEAK at AROUND 26/27
YEARS OF AGE – A LITTLE YOUNGER FOR FEMALES) – PLAYER DEVELOPMENT IS A LONG
TERM APPROACH
PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
IN POSSESSION
? SUPPORT – SPEED, ANGLE, DISTANCE
? DISPERSAL/SPREADING OUT – PLAY IN THE SPACES BETWEEN PLAYERS
? MOBILITY/MOVEMENT – QUICK, SLOW, “DRIFT” OR STAND STILL?
? PENETRATION – WHEN APPROPRIATE
? IMPROVISATION – BE CLEVER AND IMAGINATIVE
OUT OF POSSESSION
? DELAY, DENY, DEFLECT
? DEPTH
? CONCENTRATION (OF NUMBERS)/COMPACTNESS
? BALANCE
? CONTROL/RESTRAIN OPPONENTS
PRACTICE TEMPLATE – SUGGESTED
? 1.5 HOURS PER SESSION (AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK)
? WARM UP: 10 – 15 MINS
? FOCUSSED PRACTICE WITH COACHING: 30 MINS
? SSG WITH COACH ‘INTERVENTIONS’: 15 MINS
? FREE PLAY: 20 MINS (COACH OBSERVES – DON’T JUST WATCH !)
? WARM DOWN/DE-BRIEF:10 MINS
PRACTICE CONTENT
? APPROACH/PHILOSOPHY – MAXIMISE LEARNING TIME
? TRY TO ‘THEME’ THE SESSION
? WHAT WILL YOU END UP WITH? – PLAN A SESSION THAT FLOWS LOGICALLY FROM WARM
UP TO GAME WITH THE THEME OF THE SESSION RUNNING THROUGHOUT
? TRY TO PLAN THE AREA – MOVE CONES AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO MAXIMISE TIME AND TO
AVOID PLAYERS WAITING FOR THE NEXT ACTIVITY
? IF PLAYERS ARE STANDING AROUND ASK YOURSELF – IS THE PRACTICE TOO STATIC (LINE
DRILL), IS IT TOO COMPLEX (PLAYERS DON’T GET IT) OR TOO EASY (NO CHALLENGE)?
WARM UP
? WITH A BALL WHEREVER POSSIBLE; INDIVIDUAL BALL SKILLS, PASSING IN 2s/3s
? FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS –SOME WARM UPS MAY BE WITHOUT A BALL – TAG GAMES,
FOOTBALL MOVEMENTS, AGILITY, BALANCE, COORDINATION AND SPEED.
? TRY NOT TO DO “LAPS” (SEE THE THREE EVIL “L”s BELOW)
? DYNAMIC STRETCHING IN A WARM UP
IS IT A TECHNIQUE OR SKILL PRACTICE?
PRACTICE IS ON A CONTINUUM
? CONSTANT – LOW END OF SKILL; POSSIBLY REPRESENTED BY A STATIC PASSING DRILL.
LIMITED DECISION MAKING AND A LIMITED CHALLENGE. DOES NOT TRANSFER TO THE
GAME WELL.
? VARIABLE – HIGHER LEVEL PRACTICE; POSSIBLE “INTERFERENCE” PRACTICES WHERE OTHER
PLAYERS ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT INTERFERES WITH SPACE WITHOUT DELIBERATELY
TRYING TO TAKE YOUR BALL AWAY. REQUIRES DECISION MAKING AND APPRECIATION OF
SPACE, PLANNING AHEAD, COMMUNICATION*** AND OBSERVATION ETC.
? RANDOM – HIGHEST LEVEL PRACTICE – USUALLY FULL OPPOSITION (THOUGH THIS CAN BE
REDUCED BY PLAYING WITH AN OVERLOAD TO CREATE SUCCESS – SEE “STEPs” DOCUMENT
ATTACHED)
“Games are played with skill, not technique.” – John Cartwright
*** NB “COMMUNICATION” MAY NOT BE JUST CALLING TO TEAM-MATES – IT INVOLVES EYE
CONTACT, HAND SIGNALS, ACTING ON WHAT OTHERS DO AND ‘OTHERS’ INCLUDES OPPONENTS AS WELL AS TEAM-MATES
GAME
? THIS SHOULD BE SMALL SIDED TO GENERATE MANY TOUCHES, DECISIONS, TACKLES, SHOTS,
PASSES ETC
? IF YOU HAVE A LARGE GROUP, CONSIDER MAKING TWO SMALL SIDED GAMES TO MAXIMISE
ALL OF THE ABOVE FOR AS MANY PLAYERS AS POSSIBLE
WARM DOWN
? ALL PLAYERS MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO DO SOME FORM OF WARM DOWN. IT STARTS
GOOD HABITS FROM THE YOUNGEST AGES
? BIG MOVEMENTS TO SMALL, QUICK MOVEMENTS TO SLOW
? PLAYERS START TO LOSE FLEXIBILITY AT THE AGE OF 10
? STATIC STRETCHING AT THE END OF WARM DOWN HELPS TO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY AND
RANGE OF MOVEMENT
? ENCOURAGE PLAYERS TO PUT BACK ON WARM CLOTHING, HATS, GLOVES ETC THEY MAY
HAVE TAKEN OFF DURING PRACTICE
DE-BRIEF (SEE BELOW)
? OPPORTUNITY FOR PLAYERS TO REFLECT ON WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNT AND FOR THE
COACH TO REFLECT ON HOW THE PLAYERS THOUGHT THE PRACTICE WENT
NB – THE ABOVE TEMPLATE IS ONLY ONE WAY OF STRUCTURING PRACTICE. YOU MAY CHOOSE THE
“WHOLE-PART-WHOLE” METHOD WHERE YOU START WITH A FREE PLAY GAME FOLLOWING WARM
UP THEN MOVE ‘BACK’ TO A SKILL PRACTICE AND THEN MOVE ON TO A GAME AGAIN AT THE END.
TOP TIPS – IT IS BELIEVED THAT, AS A RULE OF THUMB, THE ATTENTION SPAN OF A PLAYER IS THEIR
AGE PLUS A MINUTE. SO, FOR 6 YEAR OLDS PLAN FOR A NEW CHALLENGE/ACTIVITY/PROGRESSION
EVERY 7 MINUTES !
DELIVER COACHING POINTS (INTERVENTIONS – SEE CONTINUUM GRID BELOW) QUICKLY TO
MAINTAIN PRACTICE MOMENTUM
AT ALL AGES, ENCOURAGE THE USE OF BOTH FEET – ENTHUSE / ENCOURAGE PLAYERS TO DO
PERSONAL PRACTICE AWAY FROM THE CLUB. PLAYERS HAVE A FAVOURITE FOOT – TRY TO HAVE
THEM USE THE “OTHER” FOOT (NOT “WEAK” FOOT) AS WELL.
TYPES OF GAMES FOR AGE GROUPS
CONSIDER THE TYPES OF SUGGESTED PRACTICES OUTLINED BELOW.
5 – 8 YEARS
? BALL CONTROL AND FAMILIARITY/MASTERY TYPE GAMES/ACTIVITIES – A BALL EACH,
OBSTACLES, RACES, CHALLENGES.
? GAMES – TRY 1v1, 2v1 AND 2v2 ALSO 3v3 OR 4v4 WITH OR WITHOUT GOALKEEPERS.
WITHOUT GOALKEEPERS TRY TARGET / POP-UP GOALS.
? TRY TO INCLUDE A “STORYLINE” TO MAINTAIN YOUNG CHILDREN’S INTEREST – PIRATES,
SPACEMEN & ALIENS, MONSTERS, GHOSTS ETC WILL HELP THEM TO USE THEIR
IMAGINATION WHILST USING A BALL.
8- 11 YEARS
? BASIC GAMES – 4v4 WITH OR WITHOUT GOALKEEPERS. VARIATIONS OF BASIC GAMES – 4
GOAL GAMES, LINE-BALL / END ZONE GAMES RATHER THAN ONLY WITH GOALS.
? CONSIDER CREATING OVERLOADS TO BUILD/SCAFFOLD SUCCESS – 5v2, 4v3 ETC
? EMPHASISE PRINCIPLES OF PLAY AND MATCH SITUATIONS.
? MULTI-POSITION OPPORTUNITIES – INCREASES KNOWLEDGE OF GAME AND APPRECIATION
OF TEAM-MATES’ ROLES
? INCLUDE THE “STORYLINE” IDEA FOR SLIGHTLY OLDER PLAYERS TOO – ADJUST TO INCLUDE
THEMES FROM FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMMES, COMPUTER GAMES, TOYS, BOOKS, ETC.
11 – 14 YEARS
? EMPHASISING TEAM PLAY. CONTROL OF THE GAME WHETHER IN OR OUT OF POSSESSION
? COUNTER-ATTACKING SPECIFIC PRACTICES
? GETTING READY FOR 11v11
? PRACTICES FOR TEAM UNIT/FUNCTIONS – ATTACK / MIDFIELD VS DEFENCE
? 3v4, 4v6 ETC
14 – 16 YEARS
? COMPETITIVE PROFICIENCY – PROBLEMS BASED ON THE STATE OF THE GAME
? COUNTER-ATTACKING SPECIFIC PRACTICES
? MAKE PRACTICES MORE CHALLENGING – REDUCE TIME/SPACE OR INCREASE OPPOSITION
? WORK WITH DIFFERENT SYSTEMS; 3-4-3, 4-3-3
PLAN/DO/REVIEW
? ON YOUR LEVEL 1 COURSE YOU PLANNED YOUR SESSION, DELIVERED IT AND THEN HAD TO
SELF ANALYSE BASED ON A GRID OF QUESTIONS.
? CONTINUE TO CONSCIOUSLY REVIEW EVERY COACHING SESSION YOU DO. SMALL
IMPROVEMENTS EVERY WEEK WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER AND MORE CONFIDENT COACH.
? IF IT TAKES 10,000 HOURS FOR A PLAYER TO BECOME AN “EXPERT” THROUGH DELIBERATE PRACTICE – WHAT ABOUT THE COACHES ?
LEARNING STYLES
TRY TO APPEAL TO EVERY PREFERRED LEARNING STYLE:
? VISUAL – LIKE TO SEE DIAGRAMS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
? AUDITORY – PREFER TO HEAR/LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS
? READING – LIKE TO SEE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
? KINAESTHETIC – PREFER TO JUST GET ON AND DO IT
THESE LEARNING STYLES WILL NOT BE SEEN IN ISOLATION – MOST PEOPLE PREFER SOME
COMBINATION OF THE LEARNING STYLES. HOWEVER, HAVING THESE IN MIND WILL HELP YOU TO
ENGAGE MOST OF THE PLAYERS MOST OF THE TIME (HOPEFULLY!)
TOP TIPS:
? USE A WHITEBOARD – SHOW DIAGRAM OF SET UP, SHOW A FEW BULLET POINT RULES OR
INSTRUCTIONS, THE NAME OF THE GAME. LEAVE ON THE SIDE FOR PLAYERS TO REFER TO, IF
THEY CHOOSE – TELL THEM THEY CAN
? DEMONSTRATE – SHOW THEM WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO. IF YOU AREN’T SURE,
PRACTICE !
? SHOW THEM WHILST FACING THE PLAYERS AND ALSO DO IT WHILST FACING AWAY FROM
THEM.
? GET ONE OF THE PLAYERS THAT KNOWS WHAT TO DO TO SHOW THE OTHERS
? KEEP INSTRUCTIONS SIMPLE AND CONCISE. GET THE PLAYERS PLAYING AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE
THE THREE EVIL “L”s – LINES, LAPS, LECTURES – NO NEED, FIND ANOTHER WAY !
DE-BRIEF
? ASK OPEN QUESTIONS
? ASK CLOSED QUESTIONS TO VERIFY YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY SAID
? ASK PROBING QUESTIONS TO GET MORE INFORMATION
NB – CHILDREN WILL OFTEN TRY TO PLEASE THE COACH. BE AWARE THAT CHILDREN MAY INDULGE
IN “BUZZ-WORD BINGO” BY SAYING KEY WORDS THEY THINK YOU WANT TO HEAR E.G. “SPACE”,
“SUPPORT”, “GOAL-SIDE” – TEST THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THESE TERMS BY ASKING “WHAT DO
YOU MEAN BY……..? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO THAT? WHEN MIGHT YOU DO THAT?”
? AT THE END OF ALL SESSIONS ASK THE PLAYERS WHAT THEY ENJOYED, WHAT PART OF THE
SESSION THEY FELT THEY IMPROVED AND IF THEY LIKED THE GAMES THAT WERE PLAYED
? ASK THEM WHAT THEY LEARNED.
? ASK THEM WHERE THEY HAD SUCCESS
? ASK THEM WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS HARD/DIFFICULT
? USE THE FEEDBACK WHEN PLANNING YOUR NEXT SESSION
TOP TIP - IF YOU FEEL THAT THE GAME WAS CONFUSING OR DID NOT FLOW WELL ASK YOURSELF IF
IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE SESSION ITSELF THAT WAS AT FAULT, OR, WAS IT JUST THAT THE
PLAYERS HADN’T SEEN IT BEFORE AND HAD TO GET USED TO THE PRACTICE?
IF IT WAS NEW TO THE PLAYERS, TRY IT AGAIN THE FOLOWING WEEK AND SEE IF IT FLOWS ANY
BETTER.
TOP TIP – TRY TO MAINTAIN A THEME (E.G. DEFENDING) FOR, SAY, 3 WEEKS. THIS ALLOWS PLAYERS
TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITHCONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES WHILST VARYING THE ACTUAL PRACTICE
SELECTION POLICY
? MUST BE FOOTBALL FOR ALL AT MINI-SOCCER LEVEL
? MAXIMISE GAME LEARNING AT AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL
? CONSIDER TURN UP & PLAY OPTION
? CONSIDER FRIENDLIES TO PROVIDE “REAL” PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR “STRIVERS”
? PLAN FOR TRANSITION FROM ‘FOOTBALL FOR ALL’ TO ‘SELECTION TEAMS’ – ASK THE KIDS
WHAT THEY WANT –E.G. U14 AGE GROUP – NB PSYCHOLOGICAL & SOCIAL CORNER
DEVELOPMENT
SELECTION POLICY RATIONALE
Ideally, if there were a minimum of 2 teams all the way through mini-soccer, 9 a side and then 11-aside. Stony Brook Rush Soccer Club can retain the better-developed players by providing an appropriate level of challenge / competition but also have more young people playing.
It is hoped that this will lead the club to maintain and develop teams at each age group.
It is also envisioned that the club should have a “Turn-Up & Play” option for those either not ready to play league games or who prefer not to. This allows more people within the local community to be at least associated with the club even if they don’t sign up as league team members. Stony Brook Rush Soccer Club can keep another tranche of young people playing that otherwise would be forced out or whom would self de-select by offering a variety of playing options. If we can tailor it and let people know this is not about giving everyone a game in a competitive league – it might be about “friendlies” or in-house tournaments for the less well developed players, we can increase membership and generate lots more involvement. Consider playing in-house friendlies up or down a year group for player development needs.
For the more advanced players, it is envisioned that Stony Brook Rush Soccer Club will develop links with elite clubs and college program’s associated with Rush Soccer.
PLAN FOR TRANSITION FROM 7v7 to 9v9 to 11v11 – 4 YEAR PLAN?
FORMATIONS – UTILISE FORMATIONS THAT WILL FACILITATE ATTACKING, BUILD UP PLAY 2-3-1, 3-3-2/4-3-1/3-4-1, 4-3-3
WHEN PLANNING FOR THIS TRANSITION, DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ‘SERIOUS’ PLAYERS, RECREATIONAL PLAYERS AND SOCIAL PLAYERS
TOP TIPS FOR COACHES
? MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AT ALL TIMES
? CONSIDER THAT NON-VERBAL MESSAGES, BODY LANGUAGE AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ALSO
COMMUNICATE YOUR FEELINGS
? DO NOT PLACE AN OVER-RELIANCE ON RESULTS AS AN INDICATOR OF PROGRESS. LOOK FOR
AND RECOGNISE DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENTS WHICH YOU HAVE PLANNED.
? COMMUNICATE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO PLAYERS AND PARENTS.
“In England, you teach your kids how to win. In Portugal and Spain they teach their kids how to play”
- Jose Mourinho
C.O.A.C.H.
Comprehension – of technique/skills/rules/principles of play
Outlook – how you impart your message
Affection – for the game and for the players we are nurturing
Character – how we build and shape the character of our players – how we instill values
Humor – Make the game as attractive as possible – Smile!
COACH DEVELOPMENT
STONY BROOK RUSH SOCCER CLUB ACTIVELY SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGES VOLUNTEERS TO DEVELOP THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. WHERE APPROPRIATE AND WHERE FUNDING PERMITS, THE CLUB WILL FINANCIALLY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTEERS.
STONY BROOK SOCCER CLUB WILL TRY TO FACILITATE A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP FOR VOLUNTEER COACHES WHO FEEL THEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT. STONY BROOK RUSH SOCCER CLUB WILL CONTINUE TO FACILITATE INTERNAL “COACHING COMMUNITY” SESSIONS WHEREBY COACHES CAN EXCHANGE VIEWS AND OPINIONS
CODES OF CONDUCT FOR SPECTATORS/PARENTS, COACHES AND PLAYERS
AS A COACH / HELPER OF STONY BROOK SOCCER CLUB, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU:
_ RESPECT THE RIGHTS, DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EACH AND EVERY PERSON AND TREAT EACH EQUALLY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE SPORT.
_ PLACE THE WELL BEING AND SAFETY OF EACH PLAYER ABOVE ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE.
_ ADHERE TO ALL GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY GOVERNING BODIES.
_ DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH PLAYER BASED ON MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT.
_ DO NOT EXERT UNDUE INFLUENCE TO OBTAIN PERSONAL BENEFIT OR REWARD.
_ ENCOURAGE AND GUIDE PLAYERS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN BEHAVIOUR AND PERFORMANCE.
_ ENSURE THAT THE ACTIVITIES YOU DIRECT OR ADVOCATE ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE AGE,
MATURITY, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY OF THE PLAYERS.
_ CLARIFY WITH THE PLAYERS (AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, PARENT) EXACTLY WHAT IS EXPECTED
OF THEM AND ALSO WHAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO EXPECT FROM THEIR COACH.
_ CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH OTHER SPECIALISTS (E.G. OTHER COACHES, OFFICIALS, SPORTS
SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS) IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PLAYER.
_ ALWAYS PROMOTE THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE SPORT (E.G. FAIR PLAY) AND NEVER
CONDONE VIOLATIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE GAME, BEHAVIOUR CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT OF
THE LAWS OF THE GAME, RELEVANT RULES AND REGULATIONS, OR THE USE OF PROHIBITED
SUBSTANCES OR TECHNIQUES.
_ CONSISTENTLY DISPLAY HIGH STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR AND APPEARANCE.
_ NEVER USE OR TOLERATE INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
_ REGULARLY ATTEND CLUB MEETINGS, WHEN NECESSARY, TO DISCUSS AND PROMOTE CLUB POLICIES.
_ AGREE AND ADHERE TO OUR CLUB’S CODE OF CONDUCT AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY.
AS A REGISTERED PLAYER OF STONY BROOK RUSH SOCCER CLUB, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU:
_ PARTICIPATE AS A TEAM MEMBER – ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT YOUR TEAM MATES.
_ AGREE TO REGULARLY ATTEND TRAINING AND, IF FOR SOME REASON YOU ARE UN-AVAILABLE
TO PLAY OR TRAIN, GIVE AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE.
_ ENDEAVOUR TO TRY YOUR BEST AND CONDUCT YOURSELF IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER AT ALL TIMES,
_ LISTEN TO MANAGERS, ASSISTANTS, COACHES AND ALL CLUB REPRESENTATIVES.
_ RESPECT KIT AND ALL EQUIPMENT (FOOTBALLS, GOALPOSTS, TRAINING AIDS) ETC.
_ RESPECT ALL MATCH OFFICIALS (ACCEPTING THEIR DECISION AS FINAL) AND REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER TEAMS.
_ NOTE THAT TEAM SELECTION WILL BE AT THE RELEVANT COACH’S DISCRETION.
_ AGREE AND ADHERE TO OUR CLUB’S CODE OF CONDUCT.
PARENTS / SPECTATORS WITHIN OUR CLUB ARE EXPECTED TO:
_ ALWAYS BE POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING, TOWARDS ALL OF THE CHILDREN, NOT JUST THEIR OWN AND APPLAUD THE OPPOSITION AS WELL AS OUR OWN TEAM.
_ AVOID COACHING CHILDREN DURING THE GAME.
_ REFRAIN FROM SHOUTING AND SCREAMING OR USING INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE TO
ANYONE.
_ RESPECT THE DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE, MANAGERS AND COACHES AS FINAL AND MADE
WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS.
_ GIVE ATTENTION TO EACH OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE FOOTBALL, NOT JUST THE MOST TALENTED.
_ AGREE AND ADHERE TO OUR CLUB’S CODE OF CONDUCT AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY.
_ ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE PAID BY THE SPECIFIED TIME AND REIMBURSE THE CLUB FOR ANY FINES PAID.
_ TO GIVE AT LEAST TWO HOURS OF HELP AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER TOURNAMENT
- TO NOT SEND INFLAMMATORY AND CONFRONTATIONAL E-MAILS/TEXTS TO COACHES, PARENTS OR GROUPS. IF YOU HAVE ISSUES, YOU SHOULD DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR COACH AND/OR DIRECTOR OF COACHING IN A CORDIAL AND RESPECTFUL MANNER.
OUR COMMON AIM BETWEEN MANAGERS, PLAYERS, FAMILIES AND SPECTATORS IS TO ENJOY OUR SPORT, PLAYING AS A TEAM AND TO HAVE FUN WITH OUR TEAMMATES.
